Book

VALUES BASED LEADERSHIP

How a True Leader Puts People, Organization, and Community First

We all face countless decisions throughout our careers. The specific circumstances that call us to lead will be different, but the core dilemmas and ethical challenges are very similar. Faced with these challenges, each of us must decide if we will follow our ego-centered inclinations or lead for the good of everyone whose lives we touch? Will we endanger or impair those around us to satisfy our own self-interest, or will we lead in a manner that is true to our values?

In his inspiring book Lead True, Jeff Thompson, MD, has masterfully compiled stories from the business, healthcare, and education fields, illustrating how a diverse group of leaders has employed value-based leadership and succeeded. These case studies offer dynamic, living narratives that demonstrate ways in which a leader, fueled by personal values, can change people, organizations, and even entire industries.

What sets this book apart is the interweaving of the author’s personal leadership story in healthcare to the insights from start-ups, mid-career, and top-level leaders—people who have proven that values-driven leadership is not simply a noble idea but one that actually works in practice. The author artfully shows that the goal of leadership is not to move one individual ahead of all others. When you lead true, you can move everyone forward—people, organizations, and communities—finding the best route for all.

All book proceeds go to the Gundersen Medical Foundation Leadership Development Fund

“This book grabs you where you live. It is heartful, practical, amusing, insightful, ethical and value laden. Read it and you will become a better manager. You will remember the stories and they will take you to new places. The book will make you a smarter manager and a wiser person.”

— Leland R. Kaiser,

Ph.D., renowned healthcare futurist

“We can lead from any seat in the organization as this wise, beautifully written book makes abundantly clear. Lead True gives a wonderfully authentic look into what it takes to lead a journey to excellence.”